Paradise Baccarat Table

ABSTRACT

A device for playing a game comprising: jackpot betting sensors comprising a betting sensor and a lamp; a baccarat table; a local server coupled to the jackpot betting sensors; a monitor attached to a pole; the jackpot betting sensors are mounted on top of the baccarat table allowing a first player to play the baccarat game on the baccarat table and allowing the first player or a second player to place a jackpot bet by placing a betting chip on the betting sensor; wherein the lamp in the jackpot betting sensor turns on when a betting chip covers the jackpot betting sensor to indicate that the jackpot bet is placed; and wherein the baccarat table is adapted to permit the second player to place the jackpot bet without placing a bet for the baccarat game; and wherein the local server causes the winning combination to be shown on the monitor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a method of play andapparatus for playing a baccarat game.

Baccarat is one of the more popular gambling games played in casinos orgaming establishments. As is well known, the game is played on anelongated table having a game board displayed along the upper surface ofthe table. The game board displays certain wagering areas, and theelongated table allows for the seating of multiple players or bettors(1-16) and the positioning of the multiple dealers (3) necessary foroperating the casino game. Bettor locations are typically numbered onthe table and each bettor location has an area designated for a wager onthe bank hand and an area designated for a wager on the player hand.Baccarat uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards and is usually dealtfrom a shoe having multiple decks that have been shuffled together priorto the beginning of play.

A feature of conventional baccarat games is that they have relativelysimple rules. However, the simplicity of the rules has led to acorresponding simplicity in the relatively few types of wagers which canbe placed during the play of the game, which may limit interest on thepart of the player(s) and thus further limit the casino in terms ofprofit and payout.

The embodiments described below address the above-described issues andneeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a Paradise Baccarat Table for baccaratgame. The Paradise Baccarat Table comprises: (a) a device comprisingjackpot betting buttons and/or sensors, (b) a traditional baccarattable, and (c) a local server for processing and computing jackpotwagering and payout. The betting buttons and sensors of the device aremounted on the top of the traditional baccarat table. The sensorcomprises an indicator to indicate that a bet is placed by a player. Insome embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further include achip. In some embodiments, the local server is linked to a centralserver, and the central server receives jackpot wagering and payout datafrom the local server of each Paradise Baccarat Table for the processingand computation of a grand jackpot. In some embodiments, the local severand the central server can be linked via Intranet or leased lines.

In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise amonitor at each Paradise Baccarat Table which displays the grand jackpotwith a rolling jackpot figure.

In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise anintelligent card dealing shoe capable of (a) scanning a card's point andsuit when a dealer draws out a card from the intelligent card dealingshoe for a baccarat game to generate a signal that comprises informationcomprising the card's point and suit, and (b) sending the signal to thelocal server so that where a winning combination, with regard to orregardless of suit, of the jackpot occurs, the local server causes thewinning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, to be shownon the monitor attached to a pole next to the Paradise Baccarat Table.In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise akey pad or touch screen attached to the local server to allow the dealerto key in the point and suit of each card dealt in a baccarat game orkey in the code for a specific winning combination, with regard to orregardless of suit, for a jackpot through the key pad or touch screen,wherein the key pad or touch screen is capable of causing the winningcombination, with regard to or regardless of suit, to be shown on themonitor.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of playingbaccarat. The method includes (a) allowing a player to play a baccaratgame according to conventional baccarat rules, and (b) allowing theplayer to bet on jackpot using the Paradise Baccarat Table according tothe present invention.

The present invention also discloses a software program or a set ofsoftware programs for carrying out any or all steps of the bettingmethod described herein. The traditional baccarat game can also beincorporated into an electronic device or an entertainment gamingmachine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a general layout of an embodiment of the baccarat system ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a Paradise Baccarat Table for baccaratgame. The Paradise Baccarat Table comprises: (a) a device comprisingjackpot betting buttons and/or sensors, (b) a traditional baccarattable, and (c) a local server for processing and computing jackpotwagering and payout. The betting buttons and sensors of the device canbe mounted on the top of the traditional baccarat table. The sensorcomprises an indicator to indicate that a bet is placed by a player. Insome embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further include achip. In some embodiments, the local server is linked to a centralserver, and the central server receives jackpot wagering and payout datafrom the local server of each Paradise Baccarat Table for the processingand computation of a grand jackpot. In some embodiments, the local severand the central server can be linked via Intranet or leased lines.

In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise amonitor at each Paradise Baccarat Table which displays the grand jackpotwith a rolling jackpot figure.

In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise anintelligent card dealing shoe capable of (a) scanning a card's point andsuit when a dealer draws out a card from the intelligent card dealingshoe for a baccarat game to generate a signal that comprises informationcomprising the card's point and suit, and (b) sending the signal to thelocal server so that where a winning combination, regardless of suit, ofthe jackpot occurs, the local server causes the winning combination,regardless of suit, to be shown on the monitor attached to a pole nextto the Paradise Baccarat Table. In some embodiments, the ParadiseBaccarat Table can further comprise a key pad or touch screen attachedto the local server to allow the dealer to key in the point and suit ofeach card dealt in a baccarat game or key in the code for a specificwinning combination, regardless of suit, for a jackpot through the keypad or touch screen, wherein the key pad or touch screen is capable ofcausing the winning combination, regardless of suit, to be shown on themonitor.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of playingbaccarat. The method includes (a) allowing a player to play a baccaratgame according to conventional baccarat rules, and (b) allowing theplayer to bet on jackpot using the Paradise Baccarat Table according tothe present invention.

In some embodiments, the jackpot gaming method allows the banker to makeinitial contributions for the jackpot game. As used herein, a zero-pointcard refers to any of the 10, J, Q, or K, and the banker refers to onewho owns or operates the traditional baccarat establishment.

In general, the method for playing traditional baccarat described hereinincludes the following steps:

dealing cards to a player hand and a bank hand according to a set ofconventional baccarat rules,

allowing at least a first player to place a bet on traditional baccarat,

allowing at least a second player to place a bet on jackpot where thesecond player can be the same as or different from the first player,

determining the outcome of the traditional baccarat game according tothe set of conventional baccarat rules, and determining the outcome ofthe jackpot according to a combination of cards defined below.

The present invention also discloses a software program or a set ofsoftware programs for carrying out any or all steps of the bettingmethod described herein. The traditional baccarat game can also beincorporated into an electronic device or an entertainment gamingmachine.

Baccarat Game

The object of baccarat is for the bettor to successfully wager onwhether the bank's hand or the player's hand is going to win. The bettorreceives even money for his wager if he selects the winning hand andloses his wager if he selects the losing hand. Because of the rules ofplay of baccarat, the bank's hand has a slightly higher chance ofwinning than does the player's hand. Therefore, if the bettor wagers onthe bank's hand, the bettor is required to pay to the gamingestablishment a commission (typically 5%) of the amount the bettor wins.No commission is paid if the bettor successfully wagers on the player'shand.

The term “wager”, as used herein, can be used interchangeably with theterm “bet.” The term “wagering” is used interchangeably with the term“betting.”

Conventional methods of playing baccarat are described as follows:

A multiple number of decks of standard playing cards, 52 in number, areused; typically six to twelve decks are shuffled together and placed ina shoe from which the cards are dealt during the play of the game.

Each bettor makes a wager on whether the bank's hand or the player'shand will win. After all wagers are made, two cards are dealt from theshoe to the bank position and two cards are dealt from the shoe to theplayer's position on the table layout. The cards are turned face up andthe value of the bank hand and the player hand is determined.

Aces count as one; kings, queens, jacks and tens count as zero and theother cards count as their respective face value. The suits (hearts,diamonds, spades and clubs) have no meaning in baccarat. The highesthand value in baccarat is nine. All hand values range from a low of zeroto a high of nine. If when the cards are added together, the total ofthe hand exceeds nine, then the hand value is determined by subtractingten from the total of the hand. For example, a seven and nine totalsixteen, but the hand value is six. An Ace and a nine total ten, but thehand value is zero.

A two card total of eight or nine is called a “natural”; a two cardtotal of zero is called a “baccarat”. As will be explained hereafter, incertain situations in the play of the game, a third card will be dealt.The value of this third card is added to the total of the first twocards and a new hand value is established. Again, if the new hand totalexceeds nine, the hand value is determined by subtracting ten from thetotal of the hand. Wagering locations are provided on the baccarat tablelayout. Whichever of the bank hand or the player hand is closest to atotal of nine is the winner.

The way of betting may differ in different gaming establishments. In theU.S., for example, prior to the deal, each bettor can make one of threewagers: 1) that the bank hand will win, 2) that the player hand willwin, or 3) that the bank hand and the player hand will tie. In Macau,for example, one can make one of five wagers: 1) that the bank hand willwin, 2) that the player hand will win, 3) that the bank hand and theplayer hand will tie, 4) that the first two cards in the bank hand areof the same kind, regardless of the type of suit, forming a Bank Pair,or (5) that the first two cards in the player hand are of the same kind,regardless of the type of suit, forming a Player Pair.

All winning bank hand wagers in scenario 1) in both the U.S. and Macauare paid off at odds of one-to-one and the house charges a five percent(5%) commission on the amount won by the bettor. For example, if abettor wagers $100 on the bank hand and the bank hand wins, the bettorwins $100 and is charged a $5 commission on the amount that the bettorwon. The bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of hiswager.

All wagers that select winning player hand in scenario 2) in both theU.S. and Macau are paid off at odds of one-to-one and the bettor is notcharged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager.

All winning wagers on the tie in scenario 3) in both the U.S. and Macaucan be paid off at odds of eight-to-one (depending on the gamingestablishment) and the bettor is not charged any commission on theamount of his winnings or his wager. If a tie hand occurs, all wagers onthe bank hand and all wagers on the player hand are “pushes” and theamount wagered is returned to the bettor.

All winning wagers on the Bank Pair bet in scenario 4) in Macau can bepaid off at odds of eleven-to-one (depending on the gamingestablishment) and the bettor is not charged any commission on theamount of his winnings or his wager.

All winning wagers on the Player Pair bet in scenario 5) in Macau can bepaid off at odds of eight-to-one (depending on the gaming establishment)and the bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of hiswinnings or his wager.

The play of baccarat typically uses three casino dealers to operate thegame. The casino dealers jointly participate in the shuffling of thedecks of cards. After the shuffle is completed, one of the players istypically asked to cut the decks using a plastic cut card. The dealerthen separates and restacks the cards from the point of the cut and thedealer or a player then inserts the plastic cut card no less thanfifteen cards (in Las Vegas, U.S.) or no less than twelve cards (inMacau) from the ends of the stacked decks and the entire stacked decksare placed into a shoe from which the cards are dealt during the play ofthe game. When the inserted plastic cut card appears during play, thehand in progress is completed and that round of play then ends. Thecards are reshuffled to prepare for the next round of baccarat.

In conventional baccarat, the bettors deal the cards used in the game.Initially, one of the casino dealers (called the “caller”) passes theshoe to the bettor sitting in seat number “1” at the baccarat table.After all wagers have been made, the caller tells the bettor with theshoe to begin the deal. The bettor deals a first card to the caller, afirst card to himself, a second card to the caller and a second card tohimself. All cards are dealt face down. The two cards given to thecaller represent the player hand and the two cards kept by the bettorwho is dealing the cards represent the bank hand.

The caller then allows one of the other bettors to turn up the player'shand. Traditionally, this honor is given to the bettor who has made thelargest wager. The bettor turns up the two cards of the player's handand tosses them to the caller. The caller places these two cards face upin the table location designated for the “player hand” and the callerannounces the point total of the player hand.

The bettor who has the shoe then turns over the cards of the bank handand tosses these two cards to the caller. The caller places these twocards face up in the table location designated for the “bank hand” andthe caller announces to point total of the bank hand. Depending on thepoint total of the player's hand and the bank's hand, one more card canbe dealt to either the player's hand, the bank's hand, or both. Therules for determining whether a third card is dealt are fixed rules,there is no discretion for either the player's hand or the bank's handon whether a third card is dealt.

If either the player hand or the bank hand has a point total of eight ornine on the first two cards, no third card is dealt to either hand andthe hand with the highest point total is the winner (or the hand is atie, as the case can be). If neither the player hand or the bank handhas a point total of eight or nine, then there is a possibility of athird card draw.

The third card draw rules are as follows:

Rule #1: If the initial two card player hand has a point total of 0, 1,2, 3, 4 or 5, draws a third card. If the initial two card player handhas a point total of 6 or 7, the player hand stands and does not receivea third card.

Rule #2: If the player hand stands and does not draw a third card, thenthe bank hand follows Rule #1. In other words, if the player hand has apoint total of 6 or 7, the bank hand draws a third card on a point totalof 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and the bank hand stands on a point total of 6 or7.

Rule #3: If the player hand draws a third card, the bank hand must drawor stand as described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Bank hand two Bank hand draws when the Bank hand stands when thecard point total player's hand third card is: player's hand third cardis: 0, 1 or 2 Bank always draws — 3 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9 8 4 2,3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 0, 1, 8 or 9 5 4, 5, 6 or 7 0, 1, 2, 3, 8 or 9 6 6 or 70, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 or 9 7 — Bank always stands

All third card draw determinations are automatically made by the callerwho is skilled in the game of baccarat. When the rules of baccaratrequire a third card for the player hand, the caller will request a cardfor the player hand. After the player hand is completed, the bank handis completed in the same fashion. The caller then declares which handhas the highest point total and declares that hand the winner (or thecaller declares a tie hand as the case can be).

In conventional baccarat the bettor who acts as the dealer continues todeal the cards until the player hand wins. As soon as the player handwins, it is customary to pass the shoe counterclockwise around thebaccarat table to the next bettor so that each bettor has theopportunity to deal the cards. Any bettor may decline to deal the cards.The fact that one of the bettors is physically, dealing the cards has noaffect on the outcome of the game because the rules for drawing andstanding do not allow any discretion on the part of the players.

The players can play the game according to conventional baccarat rules,which may vary from place to place. In one embodiment, the baccarat gameis played according to the U.S. rules as used in Las Vegas. In anotherembodiment, the baccarat game is played according to the baccarat rulespromulgated by the government of Macau Special Administration Region.

In some embodiments, there is a maximum limit on the total bet can bemade through a single betting terminal for the traditional baccaratgame. In one embodiment, the maximum bet can be made through oneterminal for traditional baccarat is, for example, HK$20,000.

The baccarat can be any baccarat game governed by rules of any countryor state. For example, in some embodiments, the baccarat can be abaccarat game played by the rules set forth by the government of Macau.It is noteworthy that the baccarat rules can be subject to revision(s).For example, the baccarat rules set forth by the Macau government wasrevised on Feb. 22, 2007 by Macau government. Such revision(s) does notaffect the novelty of the Jackpot described herein.

Jackpot

The method and system described herein provide a method for jackpotbetting, Paradise Jackpot™. A system for Paradise Jackpot™ is referredto as Paradise Jackpot Table. The players of a traditional baccarat gamecan make a separate bet for jackpot. The jackpot bet can be placed witha bet for traditional baccarat or without a bet for the same traditionalbaccarat.

In some embodiments, the outcome of the jackpot betting is determined bythe combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, of cards thatincludes zero-point cards. The combination includes at least onezero-point cards, which are 10, J, Q and K. In one embodiment, the rulesfor playing Paradise Jackpot™ are described below:

(1) The gaming system provides a jackpot. Players who wish to bet on theParadise Jackpot™ can place a separate bet, e.g. HKD 20 per game inminimum, which will be referred to as bet unit. The maximum number ofbet units will not be restricted.

(2) Player's can bet in Paradise Jackpot™ without placing bet in thesame traditional baccarat game. Each player can place more than one betunit in one game. When the Paradise Jackpot™ is won, the payout for eachbet unit will be equal to the money in the Paradise Jackpot™ pooldivided by the total number of bet unit.

(3) If the first 5 cards drawn in one baccarat game resulting in A, K,Q, J, 10 in spade, regardless of the sequence, then 100% of the ParadiseJackpot™ is won. In some embodiments, 100% of the Paradise Jackpot canalso be won if A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit, regardless of thesequence, occurs in a game.

(4) If the first 5 cards drawn in one baccarat game resulting in K, Q,J, 10 in spade and A in either heart, club or diamond, regardless of thesequence, then 10% of the Paradise Jackpot™ is won. In some embodiments,10% of the Paradise Jackpot can also be won if the followingcombinations occur in a baccarat game, regardless of the sequence:

Spade A plus K, Q, J, 10 in Heart, Club or Diamond;

Heart A plus K, Q, J, 10 in Spade, Club or Diamond;

Club A plus K, Q, J, 10 in Spade, Heart or Diamond; or

Diamond A plus K, Q, J, 10 in Spade, Heart, or Club.

In some other embodiments, the Paradise Jackpot™ can be played accordingto Rules (I)-(III), defined below:

(I) The Paradise Jackpot™ is won if any of the following is met:

1) any five cards forming a sequence (with regard to or regardless ofsuit), regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 9,10, J, Q, K;

2) five cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A, A, A or K, K, K, K, K;

3) four cards of a kind (with regard to or regardless of suit),regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, K, 2 or 2, K, K,K, K;

4) three cards of a kind plus a pair (with regard to or regardless ofsuit), regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 10, 10, 10, 2, 2;

5) three cards of a kind (with regard to or regardless of suit),regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2, 2, 2, 10, J

6) two pairs (with regard to or regardless of suit), regardless of theorder they are drawn, e.g., Q, Q, 2, K, K;

7) all the 5 cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, clubor diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade), J (spade), K (spade), Q(spade); or

8) any specific combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, offive cards as specified from time to time.

(II) The Paradise Jackpot™ is won by any specific combination of thefirst four, three or two cards drawn in a traditional baccarat game,with regard to/regardless of the drawn sequence. Specifically, theParadise Jackpot™ is won if any of the following is met:

(A) if the first four cards that are drawn form a combination as definedbelow:

-   -   1) the first four cards forming a sequence, with regard        to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, 4, or        10, J, Q, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   2) the first four cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A, A or J, J, J,        J, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   3) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order        they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, 2 or 10, 10, 10, 2, with regard        to or regardless of suit;    -   4) two cards of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless of        the order they are drawn, e.g., 2, 2, J, J, which is a two pair        sequence, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   5) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order        they are drawn, e.g., 10, 10, Q, Q, with regard to or regardless        of suit;    -   6) all the four cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade,        heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade), J (spade),        K (spade); or    -   7) any specific combination of the first four cards as specified        from time to time,

(B) if the first three cards that are drawn form a combination asdefined below:

-   -   1) the first three cards forming a sequence, with regard        to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, or 10,        J, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   2) the first three cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A or 2, 2, 2,        with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   3) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order        they are drawn, e.g., K, K, 2 or 10, 10, 2, with regard to or        regardless of suit;    -   4) two cards forming a pair, with regard to/regardless of the        order they are drawn, e.g., 2, J, J or J, J, 2, with regard to        or regardless of suit;    -   5) all the three cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade,        heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), J (spade), K (spade);        or    -   6) any other specific combination of the first four cards as        specified from time to time, or

(C) if the first two cards that are drawn form a combination as definedbelow:

-   -   1) the first two cards forming a sequence, with regard        to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, or J, Q,        with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   2) the first two cards of a kind, e.g. A, A or 10, 10, which is        also a pair, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   3) the first two cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade,        heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade); or    -   4) any other specific combination of the first four cards as        specified from time to time.

(III) The Paradise Jackpot™ is won by any specific combination of thelast six, five, four, three, and two cards drawn in a traditionalbaccarat game, with regard to/regardless of the drawn sequence.Specifically, the Paradise Jackpot™ is won if any of the following ismet:

(A) if the last six cards that are drawn form a combination as definedbelow:

-   -   1) the last six cards forming a sequence, with regard        to/regardless of the drawn sequence they are drawn, e.g., A, 2,        3, 4, 5, 6 or 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, with regard to or regardless of        suit;    -   2) six cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A, A, A, A or 2, 2, 2, 2, 2,        2, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   3) five cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order        they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, K, K, 2 or 2, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10,        with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   4) four cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order        they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, K, 2, 10 or 2, A, J, J, J, J,        with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   5) four cards of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless        of the order they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, K, 2, 2 or 2, 2, J,        J, J, J, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   6) three cards of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless        of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2, 2, 2, J, J, A or J, J, 2,        2, 2, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   7) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order        they are drawn, e.g., A, A, A, 10, J, K or 10, J, K, 2, 2, 2,        with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   8) three pairs, with regard to/regardless of the order they are        drawn, e.g., Q, Q, K, K, J, J or 2, 2, 10, 10, K, K, with regard        to or regardless of suit;    -   9) all the six cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade,        heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade), J (spade),        K (spade), Q (spade), 2 (spade); or    -   10) any other specific combination of six cards as specified        from time to time.

(B) if the last five cards that are drawn form a combination as definedbelow:

-   -   1) the last five cards forming a sequence, with regard        to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, 4, 5        or 9, 10, J, Q, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   2) five cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A, A, A or 2, 2, 2, 2, 2,        with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   3) four cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order        they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, K, 2 or 2, 10, 10, 10, 10, with        regard to or regardless of suit;    -   4) three cards of a kind plus a pair, regardless of the order        they are drawn, e.g., 2, 2, 2, J, J, with regard to or        regardless of suit;    -   5) three cards of a kind, regardless of the order they are        drawn, e.g., 2, 2, 2, 10, Q, with regard to or regardless of        suit;    -   6) two pairs, regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., Q,        Q, A, 10, 10, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   7) all the 5 cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade,        heart, club or diamond; e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade), J (spade),        K (spade), Q (spade); or    -   8) any other specific combination of five cards as specified        from time to time,

(C) if the last four cards that are drawn form a combination as definedbelow:

-   -   1) the last four cards forming a sequence, with regard        to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, 4, or        10, J, Q, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   2) the last four cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A, A or 10, 10, 10,        10, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   3) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order        they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, 2 or 10, 10, 10, 2, with regard        to or regardless of suit;    -   4) two cards of a kind plus a pair, regardless of the order they        are drawn, e.g., A, A, J, J, with regard to or regardless of        suit, which is a two pair sequence;    -   5) two cards of a kind, regardless of the order they are drawn,        e.g., 2, 2, Q, Q, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   6) all the four cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade,        heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade), K (spade),        Q (spade); or    -   7) any other specific combination of the first four cards as        specified from time to time,

(D) if the last three cards that are drawn form a combination as definedbelow:

-   -   1) the last three cards forming a sequence, with regard        to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, or J,        Q, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   2) the last three cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A or Q, Q, Q, with        regard to or regardless of suit;    -   3) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order        they are drawn, e.g., K, K, 2 or 10, 10, 2, with regard to or        regardless of suit;    -   4) two cards forming a pair, with regard to/regardless of the        order they are drawn, e.g., 2, J, J or J, J, 2, with regard to        or regardless of suit;    -   5) all the last three cards of the same symbols (same suit):        spade, heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), J (spade), K        (spade); or    -   6) any other specific combination of the first four cards as        specified from time to time,

(E) if the last two cards that are drawn form a combination as definedbelow:

-   -   1) the last two cards forming a sequence, with regard        to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, or 10, J,        with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   2) the last two cards of a kind, e.g. A, A or 2, 2, which is        also a pair, with regard to or regardless of suit;    -   3) the last two cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade,        heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade); or    -   4) any other specific combination of the first four cards as        specified from time to time.

In some embodiments, a Paradise Jackpot can be won if three cards of akind, four cards of a kind, five cards of a kind, or six cards of akind, with respect to or regardless of suit, occurs in a game. Examplesof the cards can be, A, A, A, A, A; Q, Q, Q, Q; K, K, K; J, J, J, etc.

The combinations of cards not defined above can be readily derived fromtime to time with or without the assistance of a computer followingestablished rules of forming combinations of a set of defined members.The amount of Paradise Jackpot™ award can be determined by anddistributed according to, e.g., the probability of a combination ofcards as defined above or otherwise specified from time to time.

There can be more than one traditional baccarat game going onsimultaneously in different casinos in Macau. In some embodiments, allParadise Jackpot™ bets from different traditional baccarat tables willcontribute to one grand Paradise Jackpot™ pool. If the Paradise Jackpot™is won in any one traditional baccarat table, all players who placeParadise Jackpot™ bets, regardless of the traditional baccarat tablethey bet, will share the grand Paradise Jackpot™ pool according to thebet units that each player placed in the jackpot betting.

Paradise Jackpot™ can be played with bets from players as the solesource of the jackpot pool or with bets and an initial contribution fromthe banker. The term “banker” generally refers to the owner of a gamingestablishment operating the traditional baccarat defined herein or onewho operates the traditional baccarat game. In one embodiment, thebanker contributes a sum of money as the initial Paradise Jackpot™(e.g., HKD 50,000). A certain percentage, e.g., 55%, of the ParadiseJackpot™ bets from the players will be contributed towards the ParadiseJackpot™ pool, a certain percentage (e.g., 40%) of the bets will becollected by the banker as profit, and the remaining portion (e.g., 5%)of the bets will be accumulated as the seed for the next game.

In some embodiments, the jackpot can be played in a traditional baccarattable. For example, such traditional baccarat table can be a baccarattable in Macau, in the U.S., South Korea, Russia, or any other country.

In another aspect of the present invention, it is provided a softwareprogram or a set of software programs that allows a user or player toany or all of the various aspects of playing the traditional baccaratParadise Jackpot™ described herein. The software program can be writtenby one of ordinary skill in the art.

The game tables can be conventional baccarat game tables, jackpotbaccarat game tables as described in the U.S. application Ser. No.11/042,732, filed on Jan. 24, 2005, Ser. No. 11/198,218, filed on Aug.5, 2005 and Ser. No. 11/312,150, filed on Dec. 19, 2005, and MacauPatent Application Nos. 1/150, filed on Feb. 4, 2005 and 1/265, filed onJan. 24, 2006, the teachings of which are incorporated herein byreference. In some embodiments, the game tables can be any game tablesplayed in a casino or internet. In some embodiments, the game table is atraditional baccarat table playing baccarat games according to the rulesprovided by the Macau government, which can be revised from time to timeor according to the rules provided by any state in the U.S., e.g.,Nevada, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Florida, or rules providedby any country, e.g., Korea, Russia, etc.

The betting terminal can take any form. In one embodiment, the bettingterminal described herein is one for baccarat, for example, a baccaratgaming system that allows one to play a traditional baccarat jackpot asdescribed in the U.S. application Ser. No. 11/042,732, filed on Jan. 24,2005, Ser. No. 11/198,218, filed on Aug. 5, 2005 and Ser. No.11/312,150, filed on Dec. 19, 2005, and Macau Patent Application Nos.1/150, filed on Feb. 4, 2005 and 1/265, filed on Jan. 24, 2006, theteachings of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety. In some embodiments, the betting terminal is described in theU.S. application Ser. No. 11/497,708, the teachings of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Paradise Baccarat Table

In some embodiments, the present invention is a conventional baccarattable that allows one to play Paradise Jackpot™ where a player sits andplaces bets at a dealing table (“Paradise Baccarat Table”). The ParadiseJackpot Table described above can be readily rolled out in existingtraditional baccarat dealing tables in casinos. A general layout of theParadise Baccarat Table is shown in FIG. 1. 100 illustrates the generallayout of a traditional bacarat table, and 200 illustrates the sensorsor buttons for jackpot betting, which are also sometimes referred to asjackpot sensors or buttons or jackpot betting sensors or buttons.

The Paradise Baccarat Table can allow a player to play a traditionalbaccarat game and allow the player to play a jackpot according to anyrules commonly adopted in a gaming establishment. In some embodiments,the jackpot is Paradise Jackpot™.

In some embodiments, the Paradise Jackpot Table is a device. The deviceincludes a local server, which is sometimes referred to as a localcomputer, and a sensor which has a light sensor in the center to detectlight. When a chip covers the light sensor, the lamp in the sensor willturn on to indicate a bet has been placed on jackpot. A signal will besent to the local computer to record the bet. In some embodiments, thedevice can have a button mechanism whereby when a chip is placed on anspecific area/circle for betting on jackpot, a button next to thatcircle will be pressed by a dealer. The lighting mechanism inside thebutton will turn on to indicate that bet has been placed on jackpot, anda signal will be sent to the local computer to record the bet. The chipcan be collected by the dealer before/after the cards are dealtaccording to conventional baccarat rules. Once the game result isavailable and payout is made, the lamp inside the button will be turnedoff and the button can be pressed for jackpot betting in next game.

Player can also place bet on banker win, player win, tie or pairs as inconventional baccarat game according to conventional baccarat rules atthe Paradise Baccarat Table described herein. Once the game result isavailable, the dealer will make the payouts on jackpot bet manually if awinning card combination occurs. The sensor light will be turned off andbe ready for accepting jackpot bet for the next game.

In some embodiments, the jackpot betting sensors or buttons are linkedto a computer/server, which can be placed within the game place orcasino, e.g., under the dealing table. This local computer/sever canhandle the jackpot wagering and payout at a local table level and sendthe data to a central server for grand jackpot computation, describedabove. Computers/servers of Paradise Baccarat Tables in the same casinoor different casinos can be linked through intranet or leased lines to acentral server which aggregates and computes the mega jackpot pool. Insome embodiments, there is a monitor at each Paradise Baccarat Tablewhich displays the grand rolling jackpot figure.

The detection of card combinations in Paradise Baccarat Table can eitherbe carried out with an intelligent card dealing shoe which can scan acard's point and suit when a dealer draws out a card from the shoe for abaccarat game. The shoe can then send the signal to the local computerso that when a winning combination, with regard to or regardless ofsuit, of the jackpot occurs, the type of the winning combination, withregard to or regardless of suit, can be shown on the monitor attached toa pole next to the table. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the dealercan key in the point and suit of each card dealt in a baccarat game orkey in the code for a specific winning combination, regardless of suit,for a jackpot through a key pad or touch screen attached to the localcomputer which would effect the winning combination, with regard to orregardless of suit, be shown on the monitor.

In some embodiments, the betting system can automatically generatecommonly accepted format of past results of played games on the screento provide references for players.

In a further embodiment, the baccarat jackpot game can be played in anon-baccarat game, e.g., blackjack, or showhand. The rules of thesegames other than baccarat games are known to one in the art.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications can be made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

1. A device for playing a baccarat game, the device comprising: jackpotbetting sensors comprising a betting sensor and a lamp; a baccarattable; a local server coupled to the jackpot betting sensors forprocessing and computing jackpot wagering and payout; a monitor attachedto a pole next to the baccarat table; wherein the jackpot bettingsensors are mounted on top of the baccarat table allowing a first playerto play the baccarat game on said baccarat table and allowing the firstplayer or a second player to place a jackpot bet by placing a bettingchip on the betting sensor; wherein said lamp in said jackpot bettingsensor turns on when a betting chip covers said jackpot betting sensorto indicate that the jackpot bet is placed; and wherein the baccarattable is adapted to permit the second player to place the jackpot betwithout placing a bet for the baccarat game; and wherein the localserver causes the winning combination to be shown on the monitorattached to a pole next to the baccarat table.
 2. The device of claim 1,further comprising an electronic chip, wherein the indicator of thejackpot betting sensor is a light indicator, and wherein the electronicchip is capable of causing the light indicator to turn on to indicatethat a bet is placed.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising acentral server, wherein the local server is linked to a central server,and wherein the central server receives jackpot wagering and payout datafrom the local server of each baccarat table for the processing andcomputation of a grand jackpot.
 4. The device of claim 3, furthercomprising a monitor at each baccarat table which displays the grandjackpot with a rolling jackpot figure.
 5. The device of claim 3, whereinthe local sever and the central server are linked via Intranet or leasedlines.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a key pad or touchscreen attached to the local server to allow the dealer to key in thepoint and suit of each card dealt in a baccarat game or key in the codefor a specific winning combination, with regard to or regardless ofsuit, for a jackpot through the key pad or touch screen, wherein the keypad or touch screen is capable of causing the winning combination to beshown on a monitor.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a chip,wherein the indicator of the sensor or button is a light indicator, andwherein the chip is capable of causing the light indicator to turn on toindicate that a bet is placed by the player.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the local server is linked to a central server, and wherein thecentral server receives jackpot wagering and payout data from the localserver of each Paradise Baccarat Table for the processing andcomputation of a grand jackpot.
 9. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a monitor at each Paradise Baccarat Table which displays thegrand jackpot with a rolling jackpot figure.
 10. The device of claim 1,further comprising an intelligent card dealing shoe capable of: scanninga card's point and suit when a dealer draws out a card from theintelligent card dealing shoe for a baccarat game to generate a signalthat comprises information comprising the card's point and suit, andsending the signal to the local server so that where a winningcombination, with regard to or regardless of suit, of the jackpotoccurs, the local server causes the winning combination to be shown onthe monitor attached to a pole next to the Paradise Baccarat Table. 11.The device of claim 1, further comprising a key pad or touch screenattached to the local server to allow the dealer to key in the point andsuit of each card dealt in a baccarat game or key in the code for aspecific winning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, fora jackpot through a key pad or touch screen, wherein the key pad ortouch screen is capable of causing the winning combination to be shownon the monitor.
 12. A baccarat jackpot system comprising a plurality ofthe baccarat tables according to claim
 1. 13. A method of playingjackpot baccarat, comprising allowing a player to play a baccarat gameaccording to conventional baccarat rules, and allowing the player to beton jackpot using the device according to claim
 1. 14. A system forplaying a jackpot game based on a number of baccarat games being playedsimultaneously with the jackpot game, the system comprising: a pluralityof baccarat tables, each baccarat table having jackpot betting sensorsmounted on the baccarat table, the jackpot betting sensors having abetting sensor and a lamp; a monitor attached to a pole next to thebaccarat table; local servers coupled to the jackpot betting sensors forprocessing and computing jackpot wagering and payout; and a centralserver coupled to the local servers, the central server receivingjackpot wagering and payout data from the local servers for computationof a grand jackpot, wherein each of the baccarat tables allows a firstplayer to play a baccarat game on the baccarat table and allows thefirst player or a second player to bet on a jackpot, wherein the lamp inthe jackpot betting sensor turns on when a betting chip covers thejackpot betting sensor to indicate that the jackpot bet is placed,wherein the system is adapted to allow the second player to play thebaccarat game or not play the baccarat game, and wherein the localserver causes the winning combination to be shown on the monitorattached to a pole next to the baccarat table.
 15. A Paradise BaccaratTable for baccarat game, comprising a device comprising jackpot bettingbuttons or jackpot betting sensors, a traditional baccarat table, and alocal server for processing and computing jackpot wagering and payout,wherein the jackpot betting buttons and sensors of the device aremounted on the top of the traditional baccarat table, and wherein thesensor or button comprises an indicator to indicate that a bet is placedby a player.